Where are you from originally and what brought you to Lumberton?
I have lived in Lumberton since 1963 and don’t remember living anywhere else. My dad, myself, my children and grandchildren have all gone to school in this town whether it was called, at the time, Fletcher, Chance Loeb Yellow Jackets or the Lumberton Raiders.
What inspired you to become a medic/What attracted you to this career choice?
My 2 sister’s faint at the site of blood and for some reason I am drawn to blood and guts. I guess you’re just born that way. How awesome, to be able to help someone in a desperate time in a person’s life. I tried accounting at Lamar but could not find excitement in that anywhere.
How long have you been with HCESD2 and what motivated you to work here?
I have been with this department for over 30 years; 15 years on the box, 7 years as Commissioner and almost 10 years in administration. After I finished getting my EMT and Advanced EMT, an old high school buddy who worked for Lumberton EMS called me in 1990 to come and check them out, so I did and have been with the department ever since then.
What is your favorite part about working here at HCESD2?
Whether it’s medical, fire prevention for the children, or teaching CPR to foster parents, daycares, or medical personnel, I love being able to help my own community. Hurricane Rita and Harvey hold special memories of what this department can do for this community.
If you had guests visiting SETX for the weekend, where is the first place you would take them?
A morning canoe trip down Village Creek then back to my house for my chicken & dumplings.
What is your favorite restaurant in town?
Goings BBQ or Napoli’s Italian
What do you do on your days off to relax and unwind?
Life is short, there is no time to relax. I have 6 grandkids who live within walking distance from me and they are always visiting their Gigi. If they are gone I like to walk around the tree farm and meditate.
What is the next place you would like to visit? Why?
I have visited all but 4 of the 50 states. I need Delaware, Oregon, Washington and Alaska to complete the USA. I’d like to visit Alaska next.
Word of advice for an aspiring medic?
I went back to school at 30 years old then again at 50, after having my children and the grandkids. Go to school BEFORE the kids!! Seriously, paramedicine is one of the most important jobs out there, you might not get rich but the difference you can make in someone’s life is unmeasurable. Go for it!!
